Invisalign treatment can be customized for kids who are in Phase 1 of orthodontic treatment, which usually occurs between ages 6 to 10. While it may be hard to wrap your head around the idea of your child in any kind of braces at such a young age, early orthodontics like Invisalign can save them from lengthy treatment later and give them a great boost of confidence.
See the Orthodontist Early
It is recommended that all children see an orthodontist for a consultation by age 7. At this age, your orthodontist can see any issues that may require early treatment to address a developing problem, like crowding among unerupted teeth, poor jaw development, and bite problems. An exam, x-rays, and 3D imaging deliver a full picture so recommendations about treatment – and the best time to start it – can be made.
Get a Diagnosis and Timeline
If your child has a mild to moderate overbite or spacing or crowding issues, Invisalign can address these unique alignment problems through a careful course of clear aligners. The question, of course, is whether Invisalign is right for your child. Many children with complex spacing issues or severely narrowed dental arches are best served by traditional orthodontic tools, like arch expanders and partial traditional braces.
Benefits of Early Invisalign Treatment
As your child grows, their smile grows too. Ideally, it will change and shift, with baby teeth coming and going, into a straight smile. However, not everyone has that kind of luck and they need orthodontic intervention to align everything and make room for the teeth that have yet to erupt.
Here is why starting early with Invisalign makes sense:
- Young jaws are still developing. It’s easy to manipulate and move the jaws into better positions to make room for permanent teeth that have and have not erupted.
- Easy oral hygiene. Let’s be honest – brushing with metal braces on your teeth is not an easy task and kids are notorious for being not-so-great at this task to begin with. Invisalign trays are removable, which makes it far easier to keep teeth brushed, flossed, clean, and cavity-free.
- Comfortable. No one wants their little kid to be in pain because of orthodontics. While there will always be some pressure from the aligners of Invisalign as the trays move teeth where they need to go, the trays are smooth and never jab or poke the soft tissues of the mouth.
- Predictable. As long as the young Invisalign patient follows the rules for wearing Invisalign, the treatment results are predictable and effective.
Find Out If Your Child Qualifies for Invisalign
Invisalign is effective at shaping smiles for kids, tweens, teens, and adults. Even if your little one still has a lot of baby teeth, there is an orthodontic plan that will transform their oral health, bite, and comfort. Invisalign and braces for kids set your child up for strong, healthy teeth and a beautiful smile.
Starting early with orthodontics means less complex treatment later and a faster route to great teeth. Starting early with Invisalign means a positive experience too. Learn more from Dr. Soleil at Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, WA. Schedule a consultation for your child.